Project description
Advancing artificial photosynthesis
The technology and process of artificial photosynthesis are an emerging solution, particularly suitable for developing photocatalytic systems that convert solar energy into chemical energy carriers, such as renewable hydrogen. The systems use artificial lipid membranes called liposomes, which are especially promising for visible-light-driven water-splitting supramolecular systems. Unfortunately, despite great strides in this field, the photochemical challenge of coupling two half-reaction processes to form water splitting has become a key bottleneck. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Lipo4AP project will utilise bioinspired, supramolecular photocatalytic assemblies on the membrane of liposomes to enable this coupling. The project will design suitable molecular building blocks and liposomes to optimise this processes.
Objective
Artificial photosynthesis is aimed at developing photocatalytic systems that convert solar energy into chemical energy carriers such as renewable hydrogen. These artificial systems draw inspiration from natural photosynthesis which takes place at the core of lipid membranes. The artificial lipid membranes of liposomes hence hold strong potential for designing visible light-driven water splitting supramolecular systems. However, it remains a photochemical challenge to couple the two half redox processes that altogether form water splitting: water oxidation and water reduction. In this project, we use bioinspired, supramolecular photocatalytic assemblies supported on the membrane of liposomes, to realise such coupling. Liposomes provide nanocompartments to confine reaction spaces and enable vectorial charge transport. Amphiphilic transition metal-based photosensitizers and molecular catalysts will be anchored to the lipid bilayers, facilitating the concomitant evolution of O2 and H2 from the two half-reactions. To couple both half-reactions, will use an hydrophilic cobalt cage complex as reversible electron relay. The project has been structured to realise key operations: light harvesting, charge separation, directed proton and electron transport from the water oxidation side to the proton reduction side, ultimately achieving water splitting via a Z-scheme mechanism. The study will focus on assessing the coupling of two redox processes by optimising pH and minimising charge recombination on both sides of the photo reaction. The successful implementation of Lipo4AP could lead to innovative strategies for the next generation of biomimetic artificial photosynthetic systems. The complementary advanced skills obtained by the fellow will complete her prior expertise to successfully advance her research career dedicated to catalytic transformations of small molecules, which are relevant to the economic and environmental targets of the European Green Deal.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.